Characterisation of secondary phases in Ni-base superalloy Rene 65

ABSTRACT

The Ni-base superalloy Rene 65 is a newly introduced cast and wrought alloy, used for turbine disc applications in aero-engines. The fine-grained and γ′-strengthened alloy was developed to increase service temperatures up to over 700°C and therefore, enhance the efficiency of aerospace turbines.

In this work, the phases occurring in the as-received material as well as after continuous cooling experiments are characterised by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In the as-received material, a tri-modal γ′ size distribution is found, ranging from a few nanometres up to approx. 5?µm. In addition, borides are found preferentially at grain boundaries with a size of approx. 1?µm. For different cooling rates, a change in morphology and size distribution of γ′ precipitates is found.

This is part of a thematic issue on Nanoscale Materials Characterisation and Modeling by Advances Microscopy Methods - EUROMAT.     

Low‐cycle fatigue of IN 718: Effect of waveform

The influence of various strain waveforms on the low‐cycle fatigue of IN 718 tested at 650°C has been investigated. The straining paths are accompanied by dwell‐induced creep component(s) or unequal strain distribution in different portions of cycles reducing strength of material. The investigation intends to clarify mainly mechanistic aspects of relaxation‐fatigue interaction. Features of time‐dependent effect induced by nonpeak dwell and the same accompanied by peak dwell, slow unloading from the peak to a lower strain, and different loading and unloading rates are compared in terms of stress amplitude responses, mean stress relaxation, hysteresis loops, life, and damage parameter D_C‐F. Softening is common in all the cases, and degree of softening varies linearly with life. The energy‐based life prediction model has been found to work well for the data, and we have introduced energy fraction–based approach to observe simultaneous contribution from both creep and fatigue on life.     

Grain boundary precipitation in Inconel 718 and ATI 718Plus

Grain boundary precipitates in Inconel 718 and ATI 718Plus are important to control during hot working processes, since they can control the grain size. Precipitating excessive or insufficient amounts can be detrimental to the final component. Therefore, it is important for manufacturers to understand the formation and kinetics of grain boundary precipitation and the effect this has on mechanical properties. This review considers the background of grain boundary precipitation, including the effect of the thermal stability of γ′ and γ^″ phases. In addition, the effect of stress on the grain boundary phases and their precipitation kinetics in different conditions are also included. Also, the impact of grain boundary precipitation on the mechanical properties is explored.

This review was submitted as part of the 2017 Materials Literature Review Prize of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining run by the Editorial Board of MST. Sponsorship of the prize by TWI Ltd is gratefully acknowledged     

Modified Johnson-Cook description of wide temperature and strain rate measurements made on a nickel-base superalloy

In this study, uniaxial compression experiments of a Nickel-base superalloy is conducted over a wide range of temperatures (298–1073 K) and strain rates (0.1–5200/s) to obtain further understandings of the plastic flow behaviours. The temperature and strain rate effects on the plastic flow behaviour are analysed. The flow stress decreases with increasing temperature below 673 K. Within the temperature range of about 673–873 K, the flow stress varies indistinctively, and even increases slightly with increasing temperature. As the temperature further increases, the flow stress decreases again. The flow stress of the Nickel-base superalloy displays insensitive to strain rate below 800/s and an enormous increase with increasing strain rate in excess of 800/s. Then the effects of temperature and strain rate on the microstructure are discussed. The result shows that high strain rate and high temperature may make the grain boundary of Nickel-base superalloy frail. Taking into account the anomalous temperature and strain rate dependences of flow stress, modified J–C constitutive model is developed. The model is shown to be able to accurately predict the plastic flow behaviour of Nickel-base superalloy over a wide range of temperatures and strain rates.     

镍基单晶高温合金的屈服准则研究

将Hill屈服准则用于DD3单晶合金屈服应力的预测，通过与试验结果比较发现，在760℃时的误差较大。根据单晶材料的屈服特点，考虑单晶合金偏轴受载时存在拉、剪应力耦合作用的情况，提出一个考虑拉、剪应力耦合能量分量，在工程上实用的单晶合金屈服准则，给出确定该屈服准则参数的方法，并重新定义适合新屈服准则的等效应力和等效应变。对各向同性材料，新屈服准则退化为von Mises屈服准则，新定义的等效应力和等效应变退化为von Mises等效应力和等效应变。在新屈服准则中出现的参数可以通过单向拉伸试验确定。用该屈服准则对DD3单晶合金的屈服应力进行预测，760℃时能很好地符合试验结果；与Hill屈服准则相比，预测精度显著提高。     

复合包套轧制工艺对难变形高温合金GH720Li组织的影响

研究了复合包套轧制工艺对难变形高温合金GH720Li组织的影响.结果表明:采用复合包套变形可以有效控制合金的轧制温度,减少轧辊与钢锭的摩擦力,改善难变形合金的表面质量及变形组织均匀性,防止轧制过程开裂.随着轧制变形量的增大,铸态GH720Li合金粗大的柱状树枝晶组织充分破碎,热变形后合金轧态晶粒度为ASTM5级,一次γ′相尺寸约为0.46μm,同时消除了低倍粗晶现象.经过热处理后GH720Li合金晶粒度为ASTM4级,改善了强化相γ′相的大小、数量及其分布状态,获得了良好的力学性能.     

Formation and effect of topologically close-packed phases in nickel-base superalloys

The formation of topologically close-packed (TCP) phases in nickel-base superalloys is an issue of increasing importance as alloys are designed with higher refractory element contents to meet the requirements of next generation turbine engines. This review considers the factors that affect an alloy’s susceptibility to TCP formation. In particular, the debate surrounding the effect of certain individual elements, such as Co and Re, in promoting or suppressing TCP formation is examined alongside the various mechanisms that have been proposed to account for this behaviour. In addition, the detrimental effects of these phases on the alloy’s mechanical properties are discussed, including crack initiation at precipitates, depletion of solid solution strengthening refractory elements and the effect on γ/γ′ rafting behaviour.

This review was chosen as a runner up of the 2016 Materials Literature Review Prize of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, run by the Editorial Board of MST. Sponsorship of the prize by TWI Ltd is gratefully acknowledged.     

镍基单晶高温合金短时时效过程中取向变化的原位研究

利用TEM和XRD原位研究了一种镍基单晶高温合金在时效过程中的取向变化.研究发现固溶-时效热处理后的初始样品内部不同γ′相之间存在~4°的小角度晶界.对材料在950℃下进行10 min短时时效处理,原位TEM和XRD结果表明γ′相的取向偏离初始取向~5°,且该取向变化在降温之后也不会完全恢复;该短时升、降温过程使γ′相的取向集中度增加.     

新型高温合金的液相连接

简要介绍了粉末冶金高温合金,定向凝固高温合金,单晶合金,镍铝系金属间化合物结构材料等新型高温合金钎焊和过渡液相扩散焊领域的发展现状,主要包括其钎料或中间层合金,连接方法及工艺和接头的高温持久性能。     

低膨胀高温合金抗氧化性能预测的研究

通过测定六种不同成分的低膨胀高温合金氧化增重曲线,提出合金元素作用系数,利用分析得到的合金元素作用系数对实验合金的氧化增重进行预测计算,其结果与实验结果吻合得很好。利用合金元素作用系数的概念和本研究所提出的方法可对低膨胀高温合金的氧化增重提供预测计算,借此可减少研究低膨胀高温合金氧化特性的试验工作量,为今后低膨胀高温合金的发展打下了基础。